
Bloomtown: A Different Story
Release Date: September 24, 2024
RPG, turn-based, 2D, indie games, jRPG, urban fantasy, singleplayer
OpenCritic
A jRPG inspired by Stardew Valley, Pokemon and Stranger Things series. The story of Bloomtown: A Different Story takes place in the titular town from the 1960s. We must save it from monsters coming from the Underside alternative reality. The battles in the game are turn-based.
Bloomtown: A Different Story is an RPG game whose source of inspiration were both jRPGs and titles such as Stardew Valley or the Pokemon series, as well as the cult TV series Stranger Things. The game is the result of a collaboration between independent studios Lazy Bear Games and Different Sense Games.
Plot
Bloomtown: A Different Story takes us to the titular American town from the 1960s. The protagonists, twelve-year-old Emily and her younger brother Chester, came here for vacation to their grandparents. It turns out that this quiet and cozy town is struggling with dark problems - children disappear mysteriously, and human nightmares take form of monsters that emerge from an alternative reality known as the Underside.
Emily and Chester, as well as other young heroes, decide to solve the mystery of Bloomtown and save its inhabitants from the grim fate that dark forces have prepared for them.
Mechanics
In Bloomtown: A Different Story we see the action from a bird's eye view. While traversing the town, we get to know its inhabitants and carry out quests assigned by them, helping them deal with the problems that plague them. In between experiencing unforgettable adventures, we can engage in more prosaic activities, such as exercising at the gym, gardening, or working at a grocery store (where we can earn a bit of money). It's worth remembering that time continues to pass and the game does not allow us to stop it.
In the game we need to face numerous opponents from Underside, with whom we engage in turn-based skirmishes. On the battlefield, we can not only use the individual skills of each character, but also summon their flaws and other inner demons to assist them in combat. Moreover, there is nothing stopping us from capturing weakened adversaries and then using them on the battlefield as our allies.
Technical aspects
The graphic design of Bloomtown: A Different Story was done in pixel art technique.
Videos and Screens
[1:08] Bloomtown: A Different Story Bloomtown A Different Story - Launch Trailer
[1:30] Bloomtown: A Different Story Bloomtown A Different Story Release Date Trailer - Future Games Show Gamescom 2024
GameGrin: 5.5 / 10 by Bex Prouse
Bloomtown: A Different Story is a pixelated RPG that takes heavy inspiration from the Persona series. While some cosy gamers may enjoy it and its music, there are some gameplay elements that drew me out of my immersion.
Cubed3: 6 / 10
Bloomtown: A Different Story wanted to be a lot of things. A relaxing summer vacation, an adventure filled with mysteries to solve, a real-life sim, and an RPG with neat combat mechanics plus a creature capture system. It's not bad (far from it), but by trying to juggle too many balls in the air, it fails at remaining engaging for more than a couple of hours, as it becomes obvious that there's not much depth underneath the beautiful pixel art wrapping.
CGMagazine: 8 / 10 by Jordan Biordi
Bloomtown: A Different Story is a little rough around the edges, but for fans of the genre this different kind of RPG inspired by Persona will take over their lives.
Bloomtown: A Different Story Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Developer: Lazy Bear Games / Different Sense Games (PC) / Different Sense Games (PS4) / Different Sense Games (XONE) / Different Sense Games (Switch) / Different Sense Games (PS5) / Different Sense Games (XSX)
Publisher: Twin Sails Interactive / Asmodee Digital
Age restrictions: 12+
Bloomtown: A Different Story System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Dual Core 2.4 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTS 450 / Radeon HD 5750 or better, 1 GB HDD, Windows 7
Recommended: Dual Core 2.8 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 460 / Radeon HD 7850 or better, 1 GB HDD, Windows 10